EXPO 2015 Recap

23rd Annual Gentlemen's Club EXPOWe brought it to the Big Easy!

New Orleans hosted 2015 Gentlemen’s Club EXPO, August 23-26 at the Hilton Riverside

Though the Annual Gentlemen’s Club EXPO had its home in Las Vegas for two decades, the time was right in 2015 to move the convention to the east and to a city that, although very different, holds much of the allure of Sin City. But it’s also filled with historic landmarks, incredible food—and, of course, the legendary Bourbon Street. That city, of course was New Orleans, Louisiana.

The 23rd Annual Gentlemen’s Club EXPO was held August 23-26, 2015, at the Hilton Riverside Hotel. The EXPO featured a two-day EXPO Tradeshow, three days of educational panel sessions including the return of the very popular “Staff Training Seminars,” while evening events will included the “Opening Night Bourbon Street Pub Crawl,” the 18th Annual ED’s Awards Show at the historic Civic Theatre, and a “Chill Day” Steamboat Party aboard the Creole Queen.

The “Opening Night Bourbon Street Pub Crawl” saw visits to four top New Orleans adult clubs—the Penthouse Club, Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club, Rick’s Cabaret and Babe’s Cabaret—each hour, on the hour, featuring complimentary drinks and a showcase performance by one of the industry’s top feature entertainers. Several "Pre-ED-Awards" were given away at the evening's first stop, the Penthouse Club, including the first-ever "International Club of the Year" Award.

The Annual ED’s Awards, the adult nightclub industry’s only national awards show, found a brand new home in the most historic theater in all of New Orleans—the Civic Theatre. Built in 1906, the Civic Theatre is a beautiful historic structure, and care has been taken at every step to preserve these details.

After the overwhelming success of EXPO 2014’s “Chill Day” Bikini Contest & Pool Party, the format returns—albeit in a very different venue! EXPO 2015’s Chill Day and “Pirate’s Booty Contest,” following a morning of legal panels,was held on the Creole Queen, one of the last authentic steamboats on the mighty Mississippi! EXPO attendees took a two-hour, catered cruise around the Mississippi on this legendary steamboat, which also boasted a large air-conditioned area in the center of the boat.

Coverage of the EXPO 2015

Workshops and Panel SessionsWhen it comes to being a more profitable club, small club operators often don’t have the budget to hire ‘experts’ or pour thousands into an advertising budget. Instead, they have to find a way to succeed with a small staff and a do-it-yourself attitude. Our panel of experts gave our workshop attendees the real nuts-and-bolts advice on how they can make their clubs more profitable—today—operating within a budget that is realistic for them (and you). Read More

TradeshowEach year at the Annual Gentlemen's Club EXPO, hundreds of business from across the U.S. and around the world represent themselves at the EXPO Tradeshow. The companies who've exhibited at the EXPO Tradeshow have shown a specific commitment to the adult nightclub industry, and represent a wide variety of products and services geared toward adult nightclub operators, feature entertainers and other industry pros.. Read More

Awards ShowIn one of America’s most historical cities, on the biggest stage in the industry and in front of a capacity crowd, the best of the adult nightclub industry were honored at the 18th Annual ED’s Adult Nightclub and Exotic Dancer Awards Show. As the glitter settled, famed “bad girl of burlesque” Roxi D’Lite danced away as ED’s Overall Entertainer of the Year, Tootsie’s Cabaret in Miami Gardens was awarded Overall Gentlemen’s Club of the Year, and Spearmint Rhino was bestowed with the coveted Club Chain of the Year. This year’s show was held at the Civic Theater in downtown New Orleans on August 25th and hosted by Thea Vidale. Read More

Parties"It's the most fun you'll ever have doing business." This has long been the motto of the Annual Gentlemen's Club EXPO, and it most directly refers to the evening parties and networking events held each year during the EXPO. Of course, it all begins with the Opening Night Party, the first official party brining the entire convention together. The evening events and parties also include the Annual ED's Awards Show (see Awards Show), and previous EXPOs have boasted many themed Opening Night and Closing Night parties, dancer showcases, receptions and more.Link to EXPO photos

A SUCCESSFUL FORMULA ...As producers of industry conventions for more than 25 years, we know that the formula for a successful event means offering attendees a show that is informative, enlightening, educational—and fun! That's why we hold our panel sessions and seminars in the morning and early afternoon, and then do the Tradeshow late afternoon and early evening with plenty of music and cocktails. Our Tradeshows are parties unto themselves, and we have found that a relaxed setting appeals to the vendors manning the booths and the buyers walking the aisles.

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS:Register before May 31 to receive substantial discounts on Attendee Badges and Awards Show tickets. Go to the Special Discounts page for more details.

AWARDS SHOW TICKET DISCOUNT:While online or on the phone, be sure to order your awards show tickets for the 2019 EXOTIC DANCER Awards Show on Tuesday night during EXPO 2019; awards show tickets are regularly $89 each but can be bought at the discounted rate of $69 per ticket through May 31.

REDUCED HOTEL ROOM RATES:We encourage you to book your room today at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino since we sell out of our block of discounted rooms every year. Book your room by calling 1-866-317-1829 and requesting the "Gentlemen's Club EXPO 2019" special rate. The room rate is $79 a night Sunday through Wednesday (and is $209 for Saturday since it is a weekend night). Ask about special rates in the Suite Tower. Click here!

STAFF TRAINING SEMINARS:Get your pen and notepad ready—these workshops will be packed with hands-on, critical information for club owners, general managers, and other key club staff. Our impressive lineup of workshop speakers will be providing expert advice on specific areas of club operations, advice that will help you—and your staff—operate your club more profitably, efficiently and safely.

Here's what our attendees had to say about EXPO 2017!

"Don (Waitt) and Dave (Manack), just a quick note to applaud you gentlemen on an exceptional production! Congratulations on 25 brilliant years of your careers. From the outside looking in it certainly appeared seamless. I hope it went as well for you old pros from the inside as it appeared to your consumers. Thank you and all of your staff for your endless diligent work that really has made all of us feel more professional about ourselves, you have been the glue for this industry and more. The Recycled Percussion band was fantastic!! It felt like real Vegas Showroom entertainment. Give yourselves a pat on the back and kiss your staff. The 25th Anniversary magazine was a real treat and I know it was thousands of hours collectively and mucho dineros to give us a bonus. A special touch above and beyond, you all deserve the utmost respect." - Michael J. Peter, ED Hall of Famer, Solid Gold owner

"You made the 25th Anniversary of the expo one to remember. It really is fantastic to reconnect with all of the ED staff in person, and even more this year. The panels were all great, informative, lively, and seriously attended. I had more traffic and serious contact as an exhibitor this year than probably the last three Expos combined. Excellently organized, easily navigated venue at the Hard Rock." - Winston Hines, Realtor, HWH Properties

"It really is fantastic to reconnect with all of the ED staff in person, and even more this year. The panels were all great, informative, lively, and seriously attended. I had more traffic and serious contact as an exhibitor this year than probably the last three Expos combined. Excellently organized, easily navigated venue at the Hard Rock. You could see the efforts, of everybody, to make this year a success. Can't wait until next year!" - Brian Hopkins, On the Border, Franklin, WI

"I just wanted to say a quick thank you (to the whole ED Family) for a great show and providing such a great format that allows us to interact, have fun and market our business to this industry!! Awesome job and the whole staff is so cool and easy to work with!" - Warren Cato, CEO, Club Control Systems

"I’d like to personally thank everyone for an incredible 25th Anniversary ED EXPO week. Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters who made the PANDA Awards possible again this year. Thank you to all the Features and Showgirls and Entertainers who make our jobs possible each and every night. None of us in this industry would be here without all of you. I know there are so many I haven’t listed here but please know I do appreciate you all. Thank you and here’s to 25 more years ED Publications!" - Dane Hansen, Centerfold Cabaret, Las Vegas, President of PANDA

"This EXPO was truly a VIP learning experience! Thank you for the timely seminars and the networking opportunities with our friends from National ACE and club owners from throughout the USA. Once again, our club and ACE chapter will benefit from the knowledge shared by the masters of our industry!" - Jill Chambers, Executive Director, ACE of Georgia

ATTENDEE FEEDBACK ON EXPO 2016

“I got to put something from EXPO to use already. A customer came in and I escorted him to the bar to take his admission fee. He says, ‘Where have you been? I was here earlier and you weren’t.’ I ask when he was here, and he says a half hour ago. I tell him I have been in the club for hours. The customer says, ‘No, I was here for like 20 minutes just sitting here.’ Now my instinct is to continue explaining that he is mistaken, but I recall from one of the EXPO panels that being right isn’t as important as having a happy customer. So I apologized for the inconvenience and bought him a drink. Now my happy customer is buying private dances instead of complaining about the club. Thanks to whichever speaker got through to me.”— Stephen Dick, Nite Moves Gentlemen’s Club, Latham, NY

“We look forward to the EXPO every year to see our friends, to continue building strong relationships and to meet new club owners. The EXPO is like no other! Lots of entertainment, an incredible amount of sharing great knowledge and tools for club owners, encouraging and celebrating accomplishments with Awards Show night. For club owners, this show is a must!”— Marsha Long, Alpha Patterned Carpets, GA

“I enjoyed the show. It was my first time. I believe my presentation was well received. I already have more than 50 contacts that I followed up with as a result of receiving their business card at the show. It has been fruitful.”— Trevor Estelle, TIPS, VA

“The EXPO was great for us. A week out and we’ve more than doubled our previous best client sign up. Looking forward to the home cooking of Vegas next year.”— Duffy Franclemont, J Dog Media, FL

“The return on the EXPO has exceeded my expectations. While several of the larger clubs already use our program, many of the smaller ones do not. Also, I thought the quality of the attendees was great. I go to a lot of conferences that brag about the huge number of attendees. Unfortunately, the quality of these attendees are not nearly as fruitful as your attendees. We walked out of there with our first ever marketing programs signed at a show and came home with more than 70 leads that were interested in our services. We can’t thank you enough. We will definitely see you next year!”— Scott Jelinski, Moving Targets, PA

“Thoroughly enjoyed my first EXPO experience. I came back refreshed, with new ideas, new contacts and an enthusiasm to get back to work.”— Jay Hatch, Paradise Found, Syracuse, NY

“I always enjoy the EXPO. I get to see people I know, and I always meet new people.”— Myles Shaffer, AINews.com

“The learning opportunities at EXPO are fabulous if you go in with that as your goal.”— Kira Mundhenk, Double Visions, Horsham, PA

“A great experience with good times all around. Can’t wait to attend again!”— Jessie Hagan, The Lucky Lady, Evansville, IN

Here's what else our attendees have to say about EXPO!

“As a business not normally associated with the adult nightclub industry, we found EXPO to be a terrific venue. There were a number of strong clubs and booking agencies we felt we could do future business. We’re excited to be working with the adult nightclub professionals and look forward to what their future holds.” — Vanessa Meyer, Chatstar

“We loved the EXPO! We were attendees who became exhibitors and that made a great decision. For us, we do better business through networking than actual booth traffic, but overall it was a great show for our company by helping us make new connections in the adult nightclub industry.” — Stephanie Veil of Duncan Investments

“We opened new accounts but also got to spend time with those club owners we already do business with, always important to us at G&G. Pay-per-view sporting events shown in adult nightclubs have proven to work, and we’re excited to get even more clubs involved the more we exhibited at EXPO and met those club owners who can make a difference to our business.” — Nick Gagliardi, G&G Closed Circuit Events

"Overall, I was impressed with EXPO. Compared to other shows we exhibit at, EXPO proved to be very successful, and we had a good response with our new money sorter. It’s a high-ticket item but one that will greatly improve any club owner’s cashflow. I was most impressed with how the nightly events were set up and that everyone stuck with each other during the entire show; that shows a real camaraderie that you don’t typically associate with conventions. It’s just another example of how unique this industry is, and we’re glad to be part of it." — Dan Nelson of Klopp International

“We opened several accounts while at the show and hoped to open even more with the contacts we made. We’re an inventory software company that has a lot to offer club owners to control costs and more effectively manage their bar costs. We’re excited to be working with adult nightclub owners and look forward to what the future holds.” — Julian Miller of Partender

“The best thing about EXPO is an exhibitor doesn’t need to feel like there should be 60,000 attendees to make the show successful. For us, for what we saw at EXPO, it’s more of a quantity over quality. This was an excellent show that allowed us to speak directly to club owners, both large chains, and independents, about our new POS program that can dramatically increase their sales performance.” — Matt Wambach of 2 Touch POS